The Metropolitan Police has secured a 12-month extension for its pilot project with Palantir, a US-based spy tech firm, to continue using its AI system, Customer Service Engine (CSE), for identifying potential misconduct and standards issues within the force. This development comes after London's mayor, Sadiq Khan, blocked a proposed £50m deal between the Met and Palantir due to a 'clear and serious breach' of procurement rules. The Met will now conduct a formal procurement process to select a long-term supplier. According to Assistant Commissioner Rachel Williams, the extension allows the Met to continue strengthening professional standards, rooting out misconduct, and increasing public confidence. The AI system has enabled the Met to bring together data from various sources to identify potential issues, with a pilot project earlier this year focusing on conduct issues. Commissioner Mark Rowley highlighted the collaboration with Palantir, stating that the pilot has been a 'step change' in identifying problem individuals or patterns and enabling proactive intervention. A Palantir spokesperson expressed pride in the effectiveness of their software in helping the Met identify officer misconduct, and the company is determined to support the force in delivering the highest standards. The extension will enable the Met to retain existing capability while the procurement process takes place, with the goal of streamlining administrative processes and freeing up officers to focus on policing.

Source: The Guardian